Page 112 of Unraveling Rain
I chuckle. “Well,meis a given. But I was thinking, there’s a bakery not too far from here. They makesome of the best cookies I’ve ever had. I used to stop by almost every day growing up.”
Her eyes light up, and that’s all the answer I need.
“I love getting to visit all the places you grew up enjoying. It’s like a little peek at baby Xander.” Her smile is blinding as we walk hand in hand.
“I love that you want to know me. All of me.” I place a kiss on her hair.
Tracing my steps with Rain brings a sense of accomplishment I’ve never felt before. It feels like, with her, I can finally tell young Xander that everything turns out better than expected. That we not only got to play the game we love, but we also got the prettiest girl on earth.
“Wow, Xander. Do you smell this?” Rain says, practically bouncing, as she checks out every single cookie in stock—chocolate chip, oatmeal, hermit, and linzer.
We get a variety box and find a bench nearby.
She takes a huge bite of the hermit cookie and closes her eyes in bliss.
“Oh my, Xander. I need to learn how to make these at home. It’s like a snickerdoodle, but better.”
“It’s my favorite,” I tell her. “Maybe you can add your own twist to it?”
I brush a few crumbs off her lips, and she playfully nibbles at my finger. I grin, lick the crumbs away, and grab a chocolate chip cookie before my dick gets any ideas.
“Hmm, maybe I should. Cookies aren’t something we offer at the diner. But maybe a giant cookie on a skillet? Topped with ice cream?”
Her eyes drift off like she’s already back in Azalea Creek.
“That’s an excellent idea. Needless to say, I want to be your official taste tester.” I wiggle my eyebrows, and she chuckles.
I sneak a bite of the cookie in her hand, and she narrows her eyes in mock offense.
Shaking a finger at me, she says, “You have a diet to follow. You know you have to be one hundred percent focused, and I’m not going to be the one who derails you.”
I kiss her temple, but she’s not finished.
“However,” she adds with a smirk, “I’ll be happy to take you up on your offer during the offseason.”
My mind immediately starts racing, thinking of everything I want to do with her next summer. First, move into our home. Then, a trip to Colombia. I need her to see the Caribbean coast, the place that shaped me.
And then, just like that, a diamond ring enters the frame in my mind, clear as day.
I make a mental note: next time the Red Wolves play in New York, I’m finding the one.
She might have been joking earlier, but I’m dead serious. I’ll be proposing before next Christmas.
Rain rests her head on my shoulder as we watch people stroll past the pier. A soft breeze rustles her hair, and a deepsense of peace washes over me. She’s here. With me. And nothing has ever felt more right.
“Thank you for today, Cherry,” I say, my voice quiet.
She wraps her hand around my bicep, warm and solid.
“You never have to thank me for spending time with you,” she says. “I hope we can keep being this happy, just enjoying each other’s company… even when we’re old and gray.”
I seal her wish with a kiss.
“What do you say we continue the party at the house?” I ask, giving Rain a hopeful grin
She smiles back, easy and bright. “You don’t have to ask me twice, Hotshot.”
I kiss her slow and sweet, then we walk back to the car.
